This Women’s History Month, we’re doing something we’ve wanted to do for a long time: pulling back the curtain and introducing you to the remarkable women who make Ivy Hall what it is.
From the finance team to the store floor, from HR to marketing, from regional leadership to community events: women are at the heart of everything we do at Ivy Hall. They show up every day with expertise, empathy, hustle, and heart. They’ve built careers in unexpected places, navigated industries that weren’t always welcoming, and chosen cannabis not just as a job, but as a calling.
Below, you’ll meet thirteen of those women, in their own words. Their backgrounds span luxury retail, corporate finance, restaurant hospitality, law, HR, and beyond. What unites them is a belief that cannabis can be a force for good: for communities, for customers, and for the people who work in it every single day.
We’re proud of every single one of them. And we’re just getting started.
Emily Montero
Financial Controller · Denver, CO
Hi, I’m Emily! I currently live in Denver, Colorado, and I lead the finance and accounting team at Ivy Hall. I found my way into the cannabis industry pretty naturally. I love weed. What keeps me here are the people. Ivy Hall is full of passionate, driven individuals who genuinely care about what they’re building while creating an environment that’s collaborative, energetic, and a lot more fun than the traditional corporate world.
Outside of work, I’m incredibly active and love spending time outdoors. I’ve practiced yoga for 17 years and really enjoy working with my hands. I’m usually the resident DIY renovator, mechanic, and handyman for my family. On a perfect weekend, you’ll find me hiking with my husband and our dog Piggy, followed by a picnic by one of our gorgeous creeks with our friends.
Lauren Steckbeck
Senior Accountant · Chicago, IL
Hi, I’m Lauren! I’m a Senior Accountant at Ivy Hall based in Chicago. My path into cannabis accounting wasn’t exactly traditional. I started in marketing with Timeless in Phoenix and worked my way through all the different departments, as you do with a start-up, before realizing I was most drawn to the financial side of the business.
After leaving Phoenix, I transitioned fully into accounting and spent several years in the restaurant industry, including time with Fox Restaurant Concepts and The Alinea Group. I eventually found my way back to cannabis when I joined Ivy Hall in January.
Outside of work, I love traveling, trying new restaurants, and spending time with my family. You can typically find me on a patio with my dog Tony and a margarita.
“My advice to women entering finance is simple: stay curious, trust your instincts, and don’t be afraid to take ownership of your work.”
Jenn Doty
Head of HR · SW Florida
Hi there! I’m Jenn Doty, the Head of HR at Ivy Hall LLC, a retail cannabis company that’s all about embracing the good vibes and fostering a dynamic work environment. While I now bask in the sunny warmth of SW Florida, my roots run deep in Chicago, where I honed my HR skills and discovered my passion for helping people thrive.
I entered the cannabis industry in 2019 and have been riding the wave of this exciting sector ever since, joining the fantastic team at Ivy Hall in 2022. When I’m not championing HR, you’ll find me enjoying the beautiful waterways of SW Florida with my husband Gary and our lovable golden retriever, Archie. I’m also a big fan of live music, whether I’m discovering local bands or catching a show in the alternative and rock scenes. I love to travel and have had the opportunity to explore incredible places like the Maldives, Bali, Hong Kong, and Panama, always immersing myself in local cultures and histories. I still dream of embarking on an Indiana Jones-style adventure one day.
Leili Mashhadi
HR Manager
I moved to the United States when I was eight years old with my mom, growing up across Illinois and constantly adapting to new places and people.
At U of I, I explored law, thinking that was my path, until I realized I wanted something more hands-on and people-focused. I didn’t just want to study systems; I wanted to be part of them, making an impact in real time. That shift led me to start-up businesses, and then eventually, Ivy Hall. I came in wanting to help people while utilizing my skillsets operationally, and I get to do that every day while being part of a company that continues to grow.
Outside of work (and sometimes at the stores), I love cooking and feeding people. It’s my love language! I’m usually recommending restaurants or sharing Middle Eastern remedies passed down to me. I love learning about history and world events, I love animals (be ready for photo requests), and if I could be any animal, I would be a black leopard. I crave travel, love Halloween, and HATE soggy lettuce.
Dominique White
Regional Director – Region 1
Dominique White brings more than a decade of experience in luxury retail, where she developed a strong passion for people development, team leadership, and the art of merchandising. Known for building high-performing teams and cultivating exceptional customer experiences, she built a career centered around operational excellence and human connection.
Now serving as a Regional Director at Ivy Hall Dispensaries, Dominique blends operational strategy with heart-centered leadership. Her journey into cannabis is deeply personal. Growing up, she witnessed the disproportionate impact of the War on Drugs on certain communities and saw firsthand how cannabis was unfairly stigmatized. Today, her work is driven by a commitment to help reshape that narrative, ensuring every customer receives a thoughtful, welcoming, and elevated experience. Dominique is proud to be part of an industry that values equity, representation, and community, and she remains passionate about building teams and spaces where both people and businesses can truly flourish.
Brianna Draksler
Regional Director – Region 2
I am the Regional Director for Ivy Hall Region 2 and have been part of the Ivy Hall family for just over three years. I began my retail career in 2010 and have held leadership roles since my very first job. For the past five years, I have been proud to work in the cannabis industry, where I get to combine two of my biggest passions: people and cannabis.
I truly love what I do and feel grateful every day for the incredible people I get to work with. Being part of this industry allows me to help build strong teams, support our communities, and create impactful experiences with our guests. I strive for excellence every day and am driven by the belief that great people make great businesses.
Cait Pisula
Marketing Manager · Chicago, IL
Hi, I’m Cait! I grew up just outside of Pittsburgh (Go Steelers!) and attended West Virginia University before moving to Chicago in 2018, where I’ve been ever since.
I began my career on the agency side before transitioning to consumer brands like Mamitas Tequila Seltzer and Four Loko. Most recently, I joined Ivy Hall as a Marketing Manager, where I focus on driving customer engagement and retention while helping to build the Ivy Hall community.
Outside of work, you can find me traveling, trying new restaurants, and deep in wedding planning mode, always with my golden retriever, Denver, by my side.
Samantha Curry
Sr. Marketing Coordinator · Ivy Hall Day One
I am an Ivy Hall “Day One,” as we’re called. I was on the opening team for our flagship store and have seen Ivy Hall in all its stages. I couldn’t be more proud and honored to be a part of this all-star team.
Cannabis was not on my 2022 bingo card when I walked past Ivy Hall Bucktown’s “coming soon” sign. I had just quit my job of four years with no backup plan. I literally had nothing to lose, so I applied! I was hired as a Budtender and the rest is history. When I’m not posting on our socials or pulling and analyzing data to come up with marketing communication strategies, I am most likely catching up on sleep, spending quality time with my husband, cuddling with our 14-year-old dog Patron, getting a good sweat in at the gym, or pursuing my lifelong passion: Acting.
Amy Umbdenstock
Events and Community Manager
“The Carrie Bradshaw of Cannabis”
Cannabis found me, or maybe I found it. A longtime friend nudged me to apply to my first dispensary job and the moment I walked in, I knew: this is where I was always meant to be. Every chapter of my life, from motherhood and fighting to caregiving, entrepreneurship, and reinvention, prepared me for this role. I’ve found my people, my purpose, and my place in the industry.
Now a proud grandmother, I balance my life between family, cannabis, creativity, and the deep gratitude that comes from surviving, evolving, and thriving. I’m still writing my story, and trust me, the best chapters are yet to come.
Isabella “Izzy” Hurst
Front of House Manager · Ivy Hall Streamwood
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Hi, I’m Izzy! I opened the Chicago Loop store and then opened Streamwood as well. Streamwood is my home store as the FOH Manager. I started in this industry as a part-time Budtender at another dispensary but came to Ivy Hall for more opportunities.
Helping others and talking cannabis are my favorite things, besides consuming it too. Cannabis is a community and we should always be promoting the wellbeing behind it. Without each other we have only ourselves, and for things to change, we need the people. I’m grateful to be part of the industry and to work with an amazing team. My favorite ways to consume are infused pre-rolls, edibles and drinks, and anything rosin!
LaKira Sostand
General Manager · Ivy Hall Bolingbrook
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Hi, it’s LaKira, known as Kira, and I’m the General Manager of Ivy Hall Bolingbrook. I enjoy all things health and wellness, which is why I’m in cannabis and working for the dopiest dispensary in Illinois. I enjoy music of all kinds, I love to dance and create a vibe that’s unmatched. Summertime Chi is my favorite season, and I love family and food!
Bridget Maiorano
General Manager · Ivy Hall Montgomery
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Hi! My name is Bridget, and I am the General Manager at Ivy Hall Montgomery! I am honored to be featured alongside the female leaders at Ivy Hall, as they have all inspired me throughout my journey to becoming a General Manager.
My love for cannabis stemmed from my pre-law days in college, where I worked toward a legal career in criminal justice reform, specifically regarding cannabis laws. I enjoy consuming flower products, but sometimes you can catch me with a THC beverage in hand! When I’m not in the store with the team, I enjoy traveling and going to the gym. My favorite places to travel are anywhere warm with palm trees! I also have two cats, Simba and Nala, who keep me company when I’m not at work.
Aireal Gomez
Front of House Manager · Ivy Hall Montgomery
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I am the eldest daughter of two (three if you include my family dog, Lily). I am a proud, first-generation Latina college graduate, class of 2023! Going through years of balancing work and school, graduating college by myself during a pandemic. It has been my greatest accomplishment thus far.
I have been in the cannabis industry since 2022. My good friend (and boss) Brianna gifted me a resume for a dispensary position on my 21st birthday and I never looked back. I have her to thank for my career at Ivy Hall.
I greatly enjoy helping and teaching people new things, and what is so great about this industry is that I can do it all in one place. Seeing the joy in customers’ faces when they come back to say that your recommendation worked great is music to my ears! At the end of the day, all I want to do is make other people happy. I am grateful for the experiences I’ve had and very excited to see what the future has in store.
Monica Soto (MoneyCat)
Front of House Manager · Shop Ivy Hall Logan Square
I have been in the cannabis industry for about 8 years now. Started as a Medical patient at Modern Cannabis Logan Square in 2018 and crept my way into the cannabis dispensary world. I was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury and had to learn how to talk/walk and see again. I was in recovery for over a year and after begging my doctor for months to give me safe access to cannabis, I was finally able to obtain my cannabis licenses and let me tell ya! A girl was EXCITED. I had never had an experience like this before and told myself that I would be the one to show people (and patients) how impactful and beneficial cannabis can be socially, economically and mentally. I am beyond grateful I can share my story and show the world that cannabis isn’t all that scary and can be super beneficial to your health. I am proud to be a woman of Ivy Hall especially because a majority of our field team are women!
The Heart of Ivy Hall
These are the women behind the ivy, and this list is just a snapshot. Across every department, every store, and every community we serve, women are driving the vision, the culture, and the care that defines the Ivy Hall experience.
They’ve come from law school and luxury retail, from restaurant groups and corporate finance, from agency life and the army of people who decided to take a chance on a “coming soon” sign. What they share is a belief that cannabis deserves to be taken seriously, and every customer who walks through our doors deserves a knowledgeable, warm, and welcoming experience.
This Women’s History Month, we celebrate them. But truthfully? We celebrate them every single day.
If you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting any of these incredible women in person, we’d love to welcome you into one of our stores. Come say hi. They’ll take great care of you.
Visit an Ivy Hall Near You
Ivy Hall Bolingbrook
Ivy Hall Bucktown
Ivy Hall Crystal Lake
Ivy Hall Edwardsville
Ivy Hall Glendale Heights
Ivy Hall Logan Square
Ivy Hall Montgomery
Ivy Hall Peoria
Ivy Hall Streamwood
Ivy Hall Waukegan
Happy Women’s History Month from all of us at Ivy Hall. 🌿
